Sponsor Area

Human Development

Question
CBSEENPS11022083

Discuss the Cognitive changes taking place in a developing child.

Solution

The child’s ability to acquire the concept of object permanence enables him/her to use mental symbols to represent objects. However, the child at this stage lacks the ability that allows him/her do to mentally what was done physically before. The child gains the ability to mentally represent an object that is not physically present children or pre operational stage (between 2-7 years of age) draw designs, figures to represent people, trees, dogs, house etc. This ability of the child to engage in symbolic thought helps to expand his/her mental world. The progress in symbolic thought continues. At this stage children see the world only in terms of their own selves and are not able to appreciate other’s point of view. They think that all things are living. They attribute life-like qualities to inanimate objects. Children of this stage also focus on a single characteristic or feature for understanding an event.

However, as the child grows and is approximately between 7 and 11 years of age they begin to think logically. They begin to focus on different characteristics and not focus on one aspect of the object. Thinking becomes more flexible, and now they can think about alternatives when solving problems, or mentally retrace their steps if required. The growing cognitive abilities of children facilitate the acquisition of language.